Expedition 33 Triumphs at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted recently, and with a remarkable show, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was crowned the top winner. The surprise role-playing game from Sandfall Interactive earned the coveted Top Game award, along with honors for Superb Storytelling and Best Visual Design.
Adding to the studio's achievements, its talented cast also garnered personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her role as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Supporting Performance Award for his work as Verso. Additionally, Sandfall Interactive itself received Studio of the Year. In total, Clair Obscur and its makers collected seven awards during the event.
Other major winners included Ghost of Yōtei, which won Top Sound Design and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, honored with Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and Premier PC Title. It is important to note, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are chosen by the public, with only four special—Critics' Pick, Breakthrough, Hall of Fame, and Streamers' Favorite—decided by experts.
Following is the entire list of honorees from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Outstanding Narrative – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer Game – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top DLC – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Top Indie Title – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Best Early Access Game – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Still Playing - Mobile – Pokémon Go
- Still Playing (Console/PC) – Minecraft
- Streamer Favorite – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Breakthrough Award – Schedule I
- Top Gaming Gear – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lead Performance Award – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- PC Game of the Year – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics' Choice – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Game of the Year – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For those who missed the live event, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be watched online below.